URGENT SEAT BELT MOUNTING

[street]

All,

In middle of compliance in NZ (cert to get car on road) they have queried what i believe to be the mounting plate on body which is secured by 4 bolts. They need to understand this is factory fitted. I would greatly appreciate any direction on where i can find pictures in manuals and any real photos of your cars to prove my point.

Today would be great so I can go back tomorrow before i have to take car away.

Thank you

[draenog]

The parts list on this site shows the plate (item 4 X050B1232Z backplate):

https://lotuselan.net/wiki/BJ_-_Body_-_Seatbelts_%2B2

[draenog]

Various pictures of the plate here (if you ignore the first picture which shows a non-standard extra plate):

https://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=41903&start=

[draenog]

Replacement plate from parts supplier:

https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ050B0010.htm

[2cams70]

For you the critical question is at the time the vehicle was supplied to market were seatbelts a regulatory requirement? If yes and therefore fitted by Lotus they will need to have been fitted as Lotus did originally. If no and they have been fitted aftermarket it’s really up to the individual inspector what they deem acceptable. It will help if it can be proven that the modification of fitting seatbelts was done according to a recognized code of practice. I think seatbelts were mandated in Australia (and maybe NZ) sometime in the late 60’s? What happened in US or other markets may not be applicable to NZ if that is where your car was first supplied.

[Matt Elan]

Also point out that he standard plate bolts through the glass fibre body onto the steel sill member which runs the length of the sill - that may help to explain to them how it was designed. Its not just a plate bolted to the glass fibre!